Today would have been my daughter Zoe's 40th birthday. She died three years ago at age 36 just 6 weeks before her 37th birthday.
These figures Zoe made with Fimo modelling clay when she was 11 years old. She was introduced to Fimo by Jane @chimfa. (Jane and Ed were friends and neighbours of ours when we all lived in the UK). Do you remember these figures Jane? I think they were one of the first things Zoe made and she showed them to you shortly after we bought her Fimo for her 11th birthday. She was so proud of them.
On the 1st January 2013 my other daughter Deb and I started 365 together. Little did either of us know that just over 4 weeks later Zoe would be no longer with us. Deb and I thought long and hard about continuing 365, but decided to do so. We both needed to go out and find good things in the world to photograph and both photography and 365 have not only been fun but also great therapy.
Always appreciate every day because you never know how suddenly your life can change.
PS This isn't meant to be a sad day, we have had a lovely day today, out on a U3A bus trip the weather has been perfect and the sun shining. A day spent with good friends is always a happy day. I needed a happy day today.
We all have to come to acceptance as to the way our lives have turned out, however hard it is sometimes.
Lovely memories Bab's.. yes I can relate so much to all of this .. I started photography seriously after Kylie died ( nearly 4 years ago) and started 365 about 12 months after that.. and also joined a camera club.. It has certainly been my savour. Happy memories Babs and family..
@chimfa I am tagging Jane down here Babs @onewing because I find in the top bit it gets bypassed.
What beautiful figures they are - I love them - thinking of you Babs - I know only to well how life can be cut short. I am so pleased you stuck with 365 - otherwise we may not have crossed paths :)
I'm so, so sorry Babs. I have a daughter who just turned 40 and I can't imagine life without her. You're so right that we should appreciate every day. This is a very sweet way to remember Zoe.
My tears fall as I read your lovely story & see the beautiful figurines that will always be the most special things to physically hold as a memory of Zoe.
And acknowledgment of this special day when Zoe was born & became a member of your family.
And maybe too doing the 365 is a way of continuing to see beauty in all things & being thankful.
Big hugs, a cup of tea & a piece of birthday cake to you, Deb & all your family.🌻🌻🌻
How special it is that you have something unique of Zoe's. i also can relate to how you feel about 365 being a wonderful therapy when life deals you unexpected blows. And yes, we always need to look on the bright side every day :) Virtual hugs coming your way :)
What a wonderful keepsake to have. You're right, it's important to hold on to those happy memories. I've realised that 365 is so much more than just posting a photo every day and I'm glad you're still doing it, otherwise we'd never have met!
You are such a brave lady Babs. Never a hint in your daily pictures of the sorrow & heartbreak in your heart which must overwhelm you sometimes.
I cannot imagine how it must feel to bury a child & my heart goes out to you & Julz.
What beautiful and personal mementos to cherish in memory of your lovely daughter and her untimely departure from this life ! I empathise with you as I struggled with the sorrow of seeing my late husband being struck down with Cancer at 36 yrs old , then in remission for over 13 years until he passed away a few days after his 50th birthday .Life is so cruel and like you one finds a way to carry on --I at the time found great solance in my garden and also struggled on in my teaching career . Now after being struck down with ill health and find difficulty with day to day living I also have turned to photograph and found 365 and its wonderful friendships . May you find happiness in your outing today and only have fond memories of Zoe
Beautiful figures lovingly captured Babs our hearts go out to you at this sad time, the lovely and happy memories last for ever, we are are suffering the loss of Jenny's father, he died on Saturday morning aged 91 years:)
'We all have to come to acceptance as to the way our lives have turned out, however hard it is sometimes.' Your final comment rang very true with me at this time, still finding my way after my Mum's death. To lose a child so young must be devastating, thoughts and prayers to give you strength in the coming years.
Dear Babs, my heart goes out to you, what a lovely tribute those two little figures are to your dear daughter. Acceptance comes, you never forget & all the lovely memories are in your hearts....so pleased you had a lovely day....
As many people have already said, my heart aches for your loss Babs. But I am so glad that you have found a way to move forward and continue to see the good things in life.
We all have a story (which most people don't know) and you are so brave to have shared this part of your life with us. I'm sending you positive thoughts and prayers for happiness and love in your world. BIG HUG to you.
i believe she was with you on your happy day today Babs...i believe my mum is only a thought away from me...time and tears and laughter get you through...these little figurines are so special...so lucky to have them...so glad you stuck with 365 too...big hugs from me... :o)
Babs, my heart goes out to you. I can't begin to imagine losing a son or daughter, but do know the pain of losing someone way before their time. You are an inspiration and it's so heartwarming to know that you have found a way forward through the pain. Your photography and endless energy, humour and self depracating outlook on life is to be admired, truly. Love Jackie x
Those we love are always with us. How wonderful to have these little figurines which have been so beautifully created to remember your Zoe with. Glad you had a good day out and about.
Babs you are such an inspiration. I can't imagine your pain but I'm glad you were able to have a nice, happy day. Zoe was obviously a very talented girl, these little models are beautifully made and have such character. Take care.
There is something special about 365project and the friends we have made. Many have sad and happy times but the 365 gets us though it, the same for me when my Sister past away 2 years ago. I kept going and it does help.
Babs, what a moving tribute to Zoe, in the image and accompanying words. I am so glad that, like many of us, you find comfort and strength in 365. It is so good that you were able to have a lovely day and thank you for your helpful words to all of us and I do admire your courage.
Very special capture with wonderful memories.oe was vert talanted with her work. I am glad that you are on 365 and making the best out of the difficulties life brings each one of us. FAV
I smiled when I first saw the capture, and then when I read your words it touched my heart. A beautiful tribute to your daughter, and a reminder to us all to live every day as best we can.
@huvesaker@777margo@susiemc@thistle@inthecloud5@alinz@hermann@happysnaps@novab@newbank@merrelyn@maree_sanderson@saulgoode@salza@mittens@365projectlinda@my_photofun@quietpurplehaze@quietpurplehaze@craftymeg@busylady@cherrymartina@pippie@ukandie1@epcello@joemuli Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and kind words. Yesterday was a happy day, as it was meant to be. We all have things that we have to come to acceptance over and still carry on in sad times. The most terrible point in my life was when the police knocked on our door to inform us that our daughter had died. You do have to come to acceptance eventually and there comes a point when you can no longer cry. You just have to pick yourself up and carry on regardless and just remember the good times. 365 has helped me so much to go out each day and look for good things in the world. I will continue as long as I can find interesting things to photograph. Also the support we all give each other on this fabulous site is so valuable. We all have a story to tell, both sad and happy.
@julzmaioro Thanks so much Julia. I know you understand how I feel. We have both had similar things to cope with. I agree that photography is a saviour. David was always the photographer in our house and I only got on board about 6 years ago. When Deb and I started 365 we had no idea how it was going to change our lives.
@365projectorgjenfurj Thanks so much Jen for your lovely words. I know you have walked the same path as I have in the loss of a child. 365 is the best thing I have found. We really must catch up one day.
@gilbertwood Thanks Denise, 365 is a fabulous therapy isn't it. I know you have had so much sadness in your life and your photography is a great credit to you. We really must catch up one day when you are either in NSW or the next time I visit Victoria.
@happypat Thanks Pat, but believe me I am not brave. I just have to make the best of the cards I have been dealt and I am determined to do just that. I know where the bottom is and I am determined never to go back there again. It is such a dark place. Must be tough Yorkshire upbringing that keeps me going.
@beryl Thanks you Beryl for sharing your story. How awful for you to lose your husband. My father died of cancer when I was 3 years old, so Mum brought my sister and I up on her own, until she remarried when I was about 10 years old.
We just have to make the best of what we have and keep taking the photos. Photography is such great therapy. There are so many wonderful things out in the world.
@pcoulson Oh Peter, I am so sorry to hear that Jenny's father has passed away. Such a sad time for all. It does take quite a while to put all our emotions in the right boxes, but I am sure we all get there in the end and just remember the good times. My thoughts are with you, take care. x
@Cherrill Thanks so much for dropping by Cherrill and so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mum. It does take a while for all the emotions to be put in the right boxes, but I am sure you will get there eventually and just remember the good memories and happy times. I can't possibly go back to the lowest point in my life ever again and 365 and photography help me tremendously.
@888rachel Thanks Rachel, yesterday was a happy day and I had to keep it that way. 3 February 2013 was the saddest day and I don't want to go back to that time at all. I just like to remember the happy times.
@jackie8 Oh Jackie, thanks so much. We all have terrible things that happen in our lives and we just have to carry on regardless. I hope I can do that. I can't go back to the dark place I was when Zoe died so I am determined to make the most of every day.
@paulaw Thanks Paula. Zoe was very artistic and although these figures were make when she was only 11 years old they are very precious. I have lots of little reminders of her around the house, but these are my favourites.
You made me cry too Babs. It hit me as soon as I looked at the figures. I have the 2 that Gillian made from the same book at the time. Both Monks. Sometimes it all seems such a short time ago. Zoe was a lovely girl , not only when she was little but when I saw her when when she came to see me on her uk visit too. She'll always be a part of our lives. Xx
Thanks for posting these and telling your story. So glad you find some escape in 365. It sounds like you are a strong person. Always appreciate every day. Yes, that is what we must do for none of us know what lies around the corner. You take care.
Aww Babs I am sorry but this has brought tears to my eyes, I admire how strong you are and also that continuing with this project has brought happiness to you and your daughter Deb. The figurines are lovely and I can understand how much they mean to you. I am so pleased you spent the day with friends that made you happy. You are such an inspiration to many people on this site.
Sorry to be so late in posting this message, hopelessly behind. I love these little figures and so pleased that you have such a keepsake for memory. Our hearts are always in our mouths while our children are growing and think that once they are grown ups they at safe. Glad that you are able to find happiness on this day.
Dear Babs, my heart aches for your loss. we too lost our second daughter suddely on 4th February when she was only 14 months old and I can remember thinking nothing could ever be as bad again. She would be turning 43 this year. However, I believe our loved ones are always with us and I am so glad you had a happy day and have such a sweet treasure to remind you of happy times.
@chimfa Thanks Jane. Don't be sad. We can't change what has happened, all we can do is remember the good times. I remember Gillian making Fimo figures too.
@cruiser Oh Chris I am so sorry to read you lost a daughter so young. I really know understand. We do have to make the most of every day. We both know where the bottom is and we have to be determined never to go back to such a dark place.
What beautiful figures they are - I love them - thinking of you Babs - I know only to well how life can be cut short. I am so pleased you stuck with 365 - otherwise we may not have crossed paths :)
And acknowledgment of this special day when Zoe was born & became a member of your family.
And maybe too doing the 365 is a way of continuing to see beauty in all things & being thankful.
Big hugs, a cup of tea & a piece of birthday cake to you, Deb & all your family.🌻🌻🌻
I cannot imagine how it must feel to bury a child & my heart goes out to you & Julz.
We all have a story (which most people don't know) and you are so brave to have shared this part of your life with us. I'm sending you positive thoughts and prayers for happiness and love in your world. BIG HUG to you.
We just have to make the best of what we have and keep taking the photos. Photography is such great therapy. There are so many wonderful things out in the world.